Daily Archive : Saturday August 31, 2013

News

Man shot by Skokie police
ABC 7A man was shot Saturday morning in Skokie after police say he wielded a knife at officers. Authorities said the suspect, a 53-year-old man, refused orders to drop his weapon even after officers struck him with a baton and sprayed him with pepper spray.

Glen Ellyn advocates’ push for indoor pool starts to kick
By Christopher PlacekGlen Ellyn swimming enthusiasts’ efforts to bring a year-round, indoor pool to town have taken a dive for decades, but it wasn’t until recently that talk of a facility has at least started to tread water. A grass-roots community group called the Glen Ellyn Aquatics Initiative formed late last year. “It’s the first substantial effort in many years,” said Rob Pieper, one of the organizers.

9 taken to hospitals in Elgin formaldehyde gas incident
By Tara García MathewsonElgin emergency responders evacuated a business after a hazmat incident Saturday morning. Capsonic, at 460 2nd St., manufactures parts primarily for automotive use. Police and fire officials were called at about 10:30 a.m. to the Elgin location because of an unknown substance. Fire department officials could not be reached immediately to say what hazardous material was found or how it affected...

Backyard grillers serve up smokin’ good time at barbecue competition
By Barbara VitelloFrom dozens of grills, Dutch ovens and oversize smokers came the unmistakable, deliciously savory aroma of barbecue poultry, pork and beef Saturday afternoon during the sixth annual BBQ Challenge, part of the Buffalo Grove Days celebration continuing through Monday at Raupp Boulevard and Lake-Cook Road. “It’s a nice way to spend an afternoon,” said John Klbecka of Buffalo Grove.

Yosemite smoke thwarts tourists, firefighters
Associated PressFirefighting aircraft were grounded most of the morning because of low visibility caused by the smoke, U.S. Forest Service spokesman Mark Healey said. The blaze had scorched 343 square miles of brush, oaks and pines and 11 homes, as of Saturday, an area larger than the cities of San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose combined.

Inverness mayor wants only Palatine rural fire district, not also Barrington Countryside
By Eric PetersonInverness Village President Jack Tatooles hopes an automatic-aid agreement will allow the Palatine Rural Fire Protection District to respond to calls throughout his entire village, given the longer distance to its western side from the two stations of the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District. “That Pepper Road station (in Lake Barrington) is so far away it might as well be in...

Elgin celebrates many heritages at annual iFest
By Tara García MathewsonStorms stopped a parade in Elgin Saturday, but the weather didn’t keep a diverse cross section of the city from celebrating their heritage all afternoon and evening. Elgin’s second annual International Festival kicked with the national anthem, pledge of allegiance and a prayer. “All of us in the United States come from somewhere,” Ursula Borodzinska said. “Anyplace we live, it’s important to...

New Bay Bridge to open decades after 1989 quake
Associated PressThe Bay Bridge failure, one of the temblor’s most memorable images, prompted one of the costliest public works projects in state history. The $6.4 billion project finally draws to a close after decades of political bickering, engineering challenges and billions in cost overruns.

Measles cases put Texas megachurch under scrutiny
Associated PressOle Anthony, president of the Dallas-based religious watchdog group Trinity Foundation, said that while there might not be specific guidance on topics such as vaccinations, the views of the leadership are clear.“The whole atmosphere is to encourage them to have faith, and it’s no faith if they go to the doctor, that’s the bottom line,” Anthony said.

Notable deaths last week
From Daily Herald wire reportsWilliam Campbell, a former U.S. Amateur champion who played on eight Walker Cup teams and later served two years as president of the U.S. Golf Association; Seamus Heaney, an Irish poet who won the Nobel Prize for Literature; Muriel Siebert, whose success as one of Wall Street’s early female analysts earned her the contacts to become the first woman to buy a seat on the New York Stock Exchange...

Obama delays imminent Syria strike, turns to Congress
Associated PressDelaying what had loomed as an imminent strike, President Barack Obama abruptly announced Saturday he will seek congressional approval before launching any military action meant to punish Syria for its alleged use of chemical weapons in an attack that killed hundreds. “I know that the country will be stronger if we take this course and our actions will be even more effective," he said.

French parliament to weigh in on action against Syria
Associated PressFrance will wait for its parliament and the U.S. Congress to consider possible military action on Syria before making a decision about whether to launch strikes against Bashar Assad’s regime, President Francois Hollande’s office said Saturday.

Lawmakers begin immediately to grapple with Syria question
Associated PressCongress’ constitutional power to declare war was refined and expanded by the 1973 War Powers Act, which requires a president to notify Congress within 48 hours of initiating military action and bars U.S. armed forces for fighting for more than a maximum of 90 days without congressional approval.

9-year-old hit by squad car recovering with leg injury
By Tara García MathewsonThe 9-year-old boy hit by an Aurora Police Department squad car Friday is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries in Park Ridge. The child was transferred from Presence Mercy Medical Center to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, according to Aurora Sgt. Matt Thomas. Thomas said the boy is recovering from a leg injury after the accident, which happened at 7 p.m. Friday on Ohio Street near...

Mundelein High college night:
Daily Herald reportMundelein High School’s guidance department hosts a College Planning Night for Seniors on Thursday, Sept. 12, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the school auditorium, 1350 W. Hawley St., Mundelein.

Blasts blow off manhole covers in downtown DetroitAssociated PressMedia reports say an underground explosion has caused damage in downtown Detroit. Television stations WXYZ and WDIV reported the Saturday morning blasts blew manhole covers into the air. There also have been reports of broken windows in the business district.

Syrian opposition says decision to wait will embolden Assad
By Liz Sly and Ahmed Ramadan, The Washington PostSyria says that military intervention will “claim hundreds of innocent victims whose blood will be on the hands of the United States and those who join it in this aggression,” according to a statement on the official state news agency Web site on Saturday.

Why some Pentecostal churches shun speaking in tongues
The Assemblies of God, one of the nation’s largest Pentecostal denominations with 3 million members, has 66 million members worldwide. Assemblies officials worried about the decline in messages in tongues — or spirit baptism — at a general council meeting this month. The practice decreased by about 3 percent to fewer than 82,000, the lowest total since 1995, according to statistics released by...

What happened at reform school? Grave excavation begins
By Brendan FarringtonFormer inmates at the reform school from the 1950s and 1960s have detailed horrific beatings in a small, white concrete block building at the facility. A group of survivors call themselves the “White House Boys” and five years ago called for an investigation into the graves.

Facts, figures as students return to the classroom
By CAROLE FELDMANThe National Center for Education Statistics estimated that in 2013, 50.1 million children will be enrolled in U.S. public schools and 5.2 million will be in private school. That doesn’t include students who are home-schooled. The Education Department’s statistics arm also estimated there were 1.5 million U.S. students home-schooled in 2007; advocates of home schooling advocates put the number...

Obama seeking congressional OK for Syria actionAssociated PressDelaying what had appeared to be an imminent strike, President Barack Obama abruptly announced Saturday he will seek congressional approval before launching any military action meant to punish Syria for its alleged use of chemical weapons in an attack that killed hundreds.

Fests getting going as rain ends
Daily Herald reportSeptemberfest in Schaumburg and Buffalo Grove Days both were under way late Saturday morning as the rain that produced a soggy start to the day ended.

Odd news: Marijuana-wrapped arrow shot into jail; Clown couple weds By Teresa Schmedding and Travis SiebrassThis week's Odd News column features a 73-year-old surprised when mystery seeds grow into pot plants, a man shoots a marijuana-wrapped arrow into a jail and a clown couple weds. The video of the week is a mom celebrating her two sons going back-to-school with an epic dance as they get on the bus.

Possible US-led attack on Syria sparks ralliesAssociated PressProtesters around the world are taking to the streets to express support for and against a possible U.S.-led attack on Syria. President Barack Obama has said that any possible attack would be limited and aimed at punishing Syrian President Bashar Assad for his alleged use of chemical weapons.

Smoke spreads but progress made in Sierra fireAssociated PressSmoke from a wildfire around Yosemite National Park is causing problems in the San Joaquin Valley, even as firefighters make advances against the massive blaze. Winds had been blowing dense smoke plumes northeast into the Lake Tahoe area and Nevada but a shift brought them west down to the San Joaquin Valley floor.

Alaskan island area hit by big quake, aftershocksAssociated PressSeveral aftershocks rattled a remote Aleutian Island region off Alaska in the hours after a major 7.0 temblor struck with a jet-like rumble that shook homes and sent residents scrambling for cover. At least three dozen aftershocks, including one reaching magnitude 6.1 in strength, struck after the major quake Friday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

IU freshman's death puts focus on new Lifeline lawAssociated PressIndiana University officials, lawmakers and a liquor store chain are working to make underage drinkers aware of the state's new Lifeline law following the death of an IU freshman who suffered a head injury during a party where alcohol was being served.

Rep. Hultgren says border security is first step to immigration reform
By James FullerCongressman Randy Hultgren said this week he will not support the Senate's immigration reform bill, saying increased border security must come first. “I see the engine of this immigration ship not working,” said Hultgren, a Winfield Republican. “The bureaucracy is failing. But I also see on the ship that we’ve got a leak — we don’t know who is coming in and out across our borders.

Lake Zurich might demolish downtown buildings in redevelopment effort
By Bob SusnjaraLake Zurich trustees will be asked to approve spending nearly $116,000 in an effort to stimulate downtown redevelopment. Officials are to consider the request to demolish five village-owned buildings Tuesday. "There is a lot of good energy going on down there,” Trustee Jim Beaudoin said. “Getting rid of those buildings is a good step forward.”

Firefighters make wish come true, and then someBy Steve ZaluskyA special present from the Make-A-Wish Foundation — an adaptive bike — arrived Friday afternoon at the Mount Prospect home of 11-year-old Zachary Jakubowski, who has a rare and severe form of epilepsy. But the foundation made the gift even sweeter by having Mount Prospect Fire Chief John Malcolm and Mount Prospect firefighters arrive at his home to give Zachary a ride around the neighborhood in a...

Sports

Donatucci’s debut at Hoffman a winner By Howard Schlossberg
Mike Donatucci is back. Is Hoffman Estates? The Illinois High School Football Hall-of-Famer reignited his career and perhaps Hoffman’s long-dwindling fortunes with Saturday’s 28-20 win over host Streamwood at Millennium Field. And you could feel how special it was for a program that has been practically belly-up for years.

Grayslake North rises to the task By Rusty Silber
Every year, Grayslake North’s football team seems to be so close to finally getting past Lakes. Finally, after six years of near misses, the Knights got the job done. Fulfilling their team motto — Rise Up — Grayslake North rose to the occasion with a 49-39 nonconference victory in a season opener over host Lakes on Saturday night.

WW South rally stuns Glenbard West By Lindsey Willhite
Wheaton Warrenville South can’t erase last year’s 4-5 season from the record books, but the Tigers have erased the doubts their subpar season caused.

Munroe honors dad with big day for St. Charles E. By Seth Hancock
St. Charles East football coach Mike Fields called his team's season opener “a tale of two halves.” The Saints tallied 203 of their 315 total yards in the first half, and host South Elgin racked up 236 of its 284 total yards in the second half. Luckily for the visitors, a 28-0 halftime lead was able to hold up as the Saints defeated the Storm 35-27 in the nonconference matchup Saturday afternoon.

Royal, Elk Grove edge St. Charles North in OT By Dick Quagliano
Travon Royal, who missed an earlier extra point and a field goal, split the uprights with his conversion kick in overtime to give Elk Grove a 23-22 season-opening victory Saturday afternoon against visiting St. Charles North in nonconference play.

Montini slips past Maine SouthBy Joshua Welge
Of an anxious last minute, Nile Sykes was quick to shoulder responsibility. “I made this game a little longer than it should have been,” said the Montini senior. He should take his share of credit, too. It was an eventful first night as a Bronco, a memorable Montini win.

West Aurora opens with easy win Daily Herald ReportsWest Aurora defeated East Aurora 46-18 Saturday in the 121st meeting in the oldest football rivalry in Illinois.

Neuqua Valley gets the job done By Stan Goff
At times Saturday night the touchdowns came fast and furious on both sides, but when Neuqua Valley needed to slow things down and turn to the ground, the Wildcats were more than willing and able.

Marian Central shuts down Crystal Lake S. By Dave Hess
With the graduation of all-state quarterback Chris Streveler, Marian Central entered the 2013 season with question marks at the QB spot. Junior quarterback Billy Bahl answered many of those questions in Saturday's opener at Crystal Lake South. Playing in his first varsity game, Bahl completed 12-of-24 passes for 243 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Hurricanes crushed the Gators 28-2.

Brown, Geneva stun Oswego By Kevin McGavin
Oswego spotted visiting Geneva a three-score lead, but the Vikings still needed some fourth-quarter magic to prevail. Kyle Brown, winning a jump-ball situation with an Oswego defensive back, raced 80 yards with a Daniel Santacaterina pass to negate the Panthers' only lead of the game — which lasted all of 19 seconds. Pace Temple, concluding a masterful game playing both ways, then preserved the Vikings' 29-27 victory Saturday night in Oswego with his second interception of the game deep in Geneva territory.

Elam's 5 TDs lead St. Edward rout By Steve Nichols
St. Edward senior running back Davontae Elam had good reason to hug each of his linemen after the Green Wave pounced all over Genoa-Kingston 43-21 Saturday night in nonconference action at Greg True Field in Elgin. For starters, on the first play from scrimmage from the Green Wave 20-yard line, Elam went untouched down the left sideline after bursting through a hole for the game's first score. He totaled 213 yards on 11 carries with 5 touchdowns, 4 on the ground and 1 through the air — a 72-yard pass that he tipped to himself in the third quarter on a 1-play drive from quarterback Bryan O'Neill, the only pass he threw in the game.

Benet gets tough, handles Downers Grove SouthBy Brian Pitts
Benet Academy picked up where it left off last season in Saturday's nonconference season opener against Downers Grove South. The Redwings, who surprised some with a stellar run to the Class 7A quarterfinals last year, showed they will again be a team to be reckoned with in 2013 after dominating on both sides of the ball in a 21-0 victory over the host Mustangs.

No. 22 Northwestern opens with 44-30 win over Cal
Associated PressCollin Ellis returned two interceptions after deflected passes for touchdowns to help No. 22 Northwestern spoil Sonny Dykes’ debut as California coach with a 44-30 victory on Saturday night. Ellis had a 56-yard return in the third quarter and then put the Wildcats (0-1) in control when he took another one back 40 yards midway through the fourth to take a 10-point lead.

Batavia bests Glenbard North again
By Dave HeunIt’s not likely his coaches would make the same wish Batavia wide receiver Michael Moffatt had after the Bulldogs opened their football season Saturday night by holding off a Glenbard North rally to lock down a 29-26 non-conference victory.

King overcomes West Chicago
By D.J. WanbergWest Chicago coach Bill Bicker made it clear what his team had to do after Saturday afternoon’s 20-16 season-opening loss to visiting King of the Chicago Public League. “We need kids to make plays. They can’t be where they are supposed to be and just watch,” he said. “The kids on the other side of the field were not afraid to make plays.”

Kaneland rolls behind dominating defense
By John LemonIt didn’t take long for Kaneland to let Brooks know their 2013 season opener wasn’t going to be anything like 2012. Dylan Nauert returned the opening kickoff 66 yards, Jesse Balluff scored two first-quarter touchdowns, and the Knights led 23-0 early on their way to a 27-7 victory Saturday night in Maple Park. That was a far cry from a year ago when the Knights had to rally from a 24-6 third quarter deficit to pull out a 25-24 win.

Grayslake Central proves its point at Fenton
By Joe CosentinoGrayslake Central’s seniors came into their season opener at Fenton with something to prove following a disappointing 2-7 record last season. They evidence was on display Saturday. Grayslake Central allowed the Bison minus-2 yards rushing in the first half on the way to a 29-8 win in nonconference play.

Wheaton North ready for win
By D.J. WanbergWheaton North wide receiver J.P. Forcucci said coach Joe Wardynski made it clear before Saturday night’s season opener at home against Cary-Grove that the Falcons have to always be ready to play.

Say it loud: Mundelein’s streak is over
By Joe AguilarEmanuel Jones busted off touchdown runs of 82, 51 and 79 yards in the second half, finishing with 255 rushing yards on 16 carries as Mundelein snapped an 18-game losing streak with a 29-22 victory over Wheeling on Saturday.

Hampshire dominates Burlington Central
By Jerry FitzpatrickHampshire unleashed three years of pent-up frustration in a 41-7 mugging of rival Burlington Central on Rocket Hill Saturday night. After 3 straight losses to the Rockets, Hampshire took an aggressive stance from the opening snap and dominated both sides of the line of scrimmage for 48 minutes. The Whips outgained Central 408-159, won the turnover battle 4-0 and led 34-0 before the Rockets scored their lone touchdown on the final play of the third quarter. It was the most lopsided victory for Hampshire over Central since a 44-0 beating in 1979.

Grant can’t keep pace with Crystal Lake Central
By Mike McGrawCrystal Lake Central switched to an up-tempo, no-huddle offense this season with the hope of wearing down opponents. That’s essentially what happened when the Tigers rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Grant 29-15 in Fox Lake on Saturday.

Glenbrook South stands tall in triumph over Prospect
By John LeuschProspect’s football team found itself with a tall order on Saturday night at Glenbrook South. Literally. Making his first start for the Titans’ varsity, 6-foot-6 junior quarterback Fitz Stadler threw 4 touchdown passes as Glenbrook South topped the Knights 41-14 on a humid but cool night in Glenview.

Lincoln-Way East takes control late, stops Carmel
By Jeff NewtonIt’s not like Lincoln-Way East had it in its game plan to spot Carmel Catholic a 7-0 lead. That’s just how it ended up working out. A turnover-filled, defensive standoff in the first half gave way to a wild third quarter. For Carmel, it was a bit too wild. Sophomore Darius Crump raced 72-yards for a touchdown to give the host Corsairs an early 7-0 lead. The quick strike and subsequent spark for Carmel lasted all of 80 seconds. “I just saw lots of daylight,” Crump said. “I know when I get a hole like that, no one is going to catch me.” The wake-up call came just at the right time for the Griffins as East rattled off 17 unanswered points to hold off Carmel 17-7 in a nonconference game that was moved to Saturday because of a power outage at Carmel on Friday night.

Glenbard South wins bigBy Orrin SchwarzGlenbard South was expected to have a powerful offense this season. On Saturday night the Raiders lived up to expectations. The Raiders put up 518 yards of offense in a 39-21 nonconference victory against Addison Trail in Glen Ellyn.

Larkin falls to McHenry
By Marty MaciaszekLarkin displayed how potent its offensive weapons can be in Saturday night’s nonconference football season opener at McHenry’s McCracken Field. Senior quarterback Kemmerin Blalark threw for 282 yards with 2 touchdowns to Dante Bonds and another to Quincy Topel. Sophomore Arthur Green caught 5 passes for 56 yards and Damion Clemons rushed for 91 yards. Unfortunately for the Royals, some self-destructive tendencies kept them from producing as many points as they could have in a 30-18 defeat.

Marmion starts fast, picks off Plainfield Central
By Craig BrueskePlaying 16 hours later than scheduled due to Friday night’s storms that hit suburban Chicago may have made Marmion’s football team a little antsier than usual. But it didn’t take away from the Cadets’ focus. Scoring touchdowns on their first 2 offensive possessions, the Cadets (1-0) built a 14-0 first-quarter lead before turning to their opportunistic defense during Saturday’s 25-7 nonconference victory over Plainfield Central (0-1) at Fichtel Field in Aurora.

Danks struggles in Chicago’s 7-2 loss to Red Sox
Associated PressJohn Danks expected a good outing from former teammate Jake Peavy. He got a weak effort from himself. Peavy pitched seven strong innings against his former team and the Boston Red Sox beat the White Sox 7-2 on Saturday night for their sixth win in seven games. “I knew I had to be good and simply wasn’t,” Danks said.

Fowles helps Sky beat Dream to clinch 1st in East
By BRIAN SANDALOWAssociated PressSylvia Fowles scored 18 points to help the Chicago Sky beat the Atlanta Dream 85-68 on Saturday night in Rosemont and clinch home-court advantage through the Eastern Conference playoffs.Elena Delle Donne added 15 and Tamera Young chipped in with 12 for Chicago (21-8), which will be the top seed in the East in the eight-year franchise’s first postseason appearance. The Sky won its sixth straight to remain one game behind West-leading Minnesota for the league’s best record.Rookie Alex Bentley scored a career-high 19 points to lead Atlanta (14-13), which has dropped four straight after a three-game winning streak. The Dream’s lead over third-place Washington was cut to a half-game.Angel McCoughtry, the league’s leading scorer, didn’t start for Atlanta due to an injured right ankle, but finished with 17 points.Chicago led by one point at halftime before pulling away by outscoring Atlanta 30-11 in the third quarter.

NIU pays back Iowa with comebackBy Barry RoznerWith expectations at an all-time high coming into this season, combined with a Heisman campaign for the brilliant Jordan Lynch, the pressure on the NIU Huskies was enormous Saturday and a victory in Iowa City essential. They got it with a fourth-quarter comeback.

Rusin not letting fielding mistakes get to him this year
By Bruce MilesCubs lefty Chris Rusin is showing that experience means something. Pitching in part of a second season in the big leagues, Rusin has seen his numbers improve, thanks largely to making good pitches to get out of trouble.

Plenty of pop in Castro’s bat of lateBy Bruce MilesExtra-base hits were hard to come by for Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro in August. But he has begun hitting with newfound authority over the weekend. In Saturday's 4-3 victory over the Phillies, Castro hit a double and what turned out to be a game-winning home run.

Cougars get clobbered by Chiefs
By Daily Herald News ServicesDespite having Cubs outfielder Ryan Sweeney lead off and infielder Luis Valbuena bat second, the Kane County Cougars were shut out by the Peoria Chiefs 9-0 on Saturday before a season-high 12,335 at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva.

Schaumburg Boomers blast the Otters
By Daily Herald News ServicesA night after clinching the Frontier League’s West Division championship in a tight contest, the Schaumburg Boomers forsook any drama in a 14-0 stomping of the Evansville Otters on Saturday.

Costanzo proves to be someone special to Bears
By Bob LeGereThe Bears got down to the 53-man roster limit Saturday, keeping all six of their draft choices plus three undrafted rookies. One of the final cuts was first-year wide receiver Terrence Toliver, who could return as a member of the practice squad, which can begin being formed at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Westminster Christian no pushover in first varsity game
By Marty MaciaszekWestminster Christian was clearly not taking baby steps offensively at the end of its historic first varsity football game Saturday afternoon on Chicago’s Northwest side. The Warriors showed how quickly they could get their attack running as they scored 20 points in the final 7:22 and finished with 371 total yards of offense in a 44-26 Northeastern Athletic Conference loss to Luther North.

Boys soccer/Fox Valley roundup
By Brian SchaumburgWeather didn’t just wreck havoc on football games this week. The Jacobs boys soccer team had to change the schedule of its tournament and wait through another lightning delay Saturday morning. Games for the tournament, which saw teams play less than a half Friday before storms moved in, were shortened to 25-minute halves. Teams were playing 2½ games Saturday. The Golden Eagles went 1-2. They finished up their 3-2 loss to Crystal Lake Central, lost to Harvard on penalty kicks after the game finished 1-1 and beat Kaneland in PKs after a scoreless 50 minutes. “We have to make sure you stay intense, you stay in the game all the time,” Jacobs senior Tim Hubner said of the long day. “It’s easy to get distracted, to say you’re tired and give up. You had to stay strong for all three games.” Against Kaneland, the Golden Eagles had the best opportunity of the first half when a Knights defender fell down, allowing Konrad Wasilewski to go in free. Kaneland goalkeeper Jarred Karr made the save. Karr finished with 6 saves. Jacobs goalkeeper Spencer Dixon also made 6 saves. Each team made its first 5 attempts from the penalty spot. Austin Ryan scored for the Golden Eagles (1-2-1) on their sixth attempt. Kaneland’s shooter went over the crossbar to end the game. “I liked that in the dying moments they were fighting and talking,” Jacobs coach Anthony Cappello said. “It was a pretty good effort out there. It’s good character to watch them fight after playing so many minutes.” Hubner and Wasilewski scored in the loss to CL Central. Nick Voss scored against Harvard. Kaneland also went 1-2, beating CL Central 1-0 and losing to Jacobs and Harvard 1-0. Ignacio Toscano scored against CL Central.Dundee-Crown wins tournament: Ben Stone and Paul Buch had goals and Jose Gonzalez made 9 saves in goal as the Chargers downed Carmel 2-0 to win the championship of the North Shore Shootout at Lake Forest. Francisco Nava had an assist for D-C (3-0).Burlington Central 4, Yorkville 1: Alan Camarena scored a hat trick as the Rockets won to finish in third place at the DeKalb tournament. James Raney scored the other goal for Central (3-1). Raney, Matt O’Connor, Jacob Schutta and Sean Fitzgerald each had assists and Brett Rau made 5 saves in goal.Streamwood 1, Geneva 0: Edwin Rueda scored off a free kick for the only goal of the game in this Upstate Eight River contest. Phil Lewy (2 saves) and Sergio Blanco (3 saves) shared the shutout in goal for the Sabres (2-0, 1-0).St. Edward 3, Harvest Christian 2: Rafael DeSouza and Basilio Salazar had the goals for Harvest Christian at the St. Edward tournament. Cesar Valazquez had 2 assists and Noah Fox made 10 saves in goal for the Lions (1-2).Barrington 2, Cary-Grove 1: Kevin Wilde scored for the Trojans (0-2) and Ethan Escha had 3 saves in goal in this nonconference loss.

Somehow, it adds up in Conant’s favor
By Howard SchlossbergWhat do 4 interceptions and 12 penalties for 146 yards add up to? How about Conant 28, Lake Park 14 in Saturday’s season opener for both. Guess which team had the four miscues and the 12 mistakes? Yes, Lake Park. And they came in key situations, along with some costly penalties. Conant needed to capitalize on every one of them. That’s because the visiting Lancers finished with more total offense, more yards rushing, more plays from scrimmage and, in the end, more angst.

Girls volleyball/Fox Valley roundup
Daily Herald reportAfter dropping two matches Thursday night at the Wheaton North tournament, Larkin’s girls volleyball team came back Saturday to go 3-0 in the blue bracket.The Royals (5-2) defeated Oak Forest 25-10, 25-14, then dropped Romeoville 25-14, 25-23, and then disposed of Buffalo Grove 28-26, 25-21.All-tournament selection Olivia Kofie led the Royals with 9 aces, 17 kills, 5 assists, 8 blocks and 5 digs in the three games. Brianna Stewart added 3 aces, 22 kills, 4 blocks and a dig, Alyssa McGhee had 2 aces, 3 kills, 33 assists and 11 digs and Alexis Price added 7 aces, 12 kills and 6 digs. Also contributing for Larkin were Mia Gill with 3 aces and 12 digs and Natalie Kofie with 16 assists, 2 digs and 2 kills.At Plainfield East: Crystal Lake South went 4-1 and finished in fifth place at the Plainfield East tournament. The Gators defeated Joliet West, Oswego East, Marian Catholic and Huntley and lost to Naperville North. Carly Nolan had 39 kills, 15 digs and 6 blocks and Cassy Sivsind added 99 assists to lead CLS (5-1). Nicole Slimko added 24 kills and 11 blocks and Avalon Nero had 38 kills and 10 aces.Huntley went 3-2 at the tournament, beating Proviso East, Hinsdale South and Providence and losing to St. Charles North and Crystal Lake South. Rachel Kisten had 28 kills on the day to lead the Red Raiders.At Chicago Christian: St. Edward went 2-3 for the weekend and finished in sixth place at the Chicago Christian tournament. The Green Wave beat the Marist JV and Aurora Central Catholic and lost to De La Salle, Chicago Christian and Chicago Payton. Katie Swanson (24 kills, 4 blocks, 41 digs) made the all-tournament team for St. Edward (3-3). Also contributing for the Wave were Megan Barth (15 kills, 6 blocks, 3 aces), Cory Kelly (13 kills, 2 blocks), Shannon Igielski (25 kills, 5 blocks), Mallory Gross (3 aces, 55 digs, 66 assists), Clara McDowell (42 digs, 4 aces), Allison Kruk (97 digs) and Alyssa Saunders (45 digs).At Rockford East: Elgin finished 2-3 at the Rockford East tournament, beating Rockford Christian and River Ridge and losing to Rochelle, Fremd and Fenton. Melanie Berg (11 aces, 19 kills) and Tanya Welch (12 aces, 60 assists) led the Maroons.“We played really well today,” said Elgin coach Scott Stewart. “We only had two wins all of last year so I’ll take the two wins today.”Hampshire went 1-3-1 in the tournament, beating Harvard, splitting with Fenton and losing to Jefferson, Oregon and Rockford Christian. Erin Foss had 29 kills, 10 aces and 33 digs to lead the Whip-Purs (1-5), while Kayla Kienzler (17 kills, 3 blocks), Kyla Conway (17 kills), Dallas Krueger (5 blocks), Sophia Robson (5 blocks), Julianna Gass (61 digs) and Brittany Laffin (26 assists) also contributed.

NIU stuns Iowa 30-27 after big finale
Associated PressMathew Sims hit a 36-yard field goal with four seconds left and Northern Illinois rallied to beat Iowa 30-27 on Saturday in the season opener for both teams.Jordan Lynch threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns for the Huskies, who scored 10 points in the final 5:05 to record their first win over the Hawkeyes.

Benet buckles down, wins own invite
By Joshua WelgeBenet will not doubt be a better team with Brittany Pavich. But even without her, at Benet it’s still business as usual. The No. 2 Redwings won their own Benet Invite for the third straight year — sixth in the last seven — rallying minus their best hitter past York 20-25, 25-21, 25-16 in Saturday’s championship match.

Castro helps Cubs beat Phillies 4-3
Associated PressStarlin Castro hit a tiebreaking homer in the sixth to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. Cole Gillespie drove in two runs with a single and a sacrifice fly as the Cubs earned their fourth win in 20 home games since the All-Star break. Castro, Junior Lake, Wellington Castillo and Darwin Barney had two hits apiece.

Smith, Schaumburg prove their point
By Travis DavidMother Nature may have proved a point Friday night, but Saturday it was Stacey Smith who had something to prove. The Schaumburg senior signal-caller carved up the New Trier defense for a game-high 151 yards rushing in the Saxons 34-20 win over New Trier at Robert Naughton Field.

Big plays, turnovers sink Maine West
By John JuettnerBig offensive plays and turnovers were the difference for Urban Prep in a 30-24 victory over host Maine West in nonconference play Saturday afternoon. Three of the four Urban Prep touchdowns came on plays of 50 yards or more. The Lions also recovered three fumbles and intercepted Maine West quarterback Matt Swanson twice — both coming in the fourth quarter as the Warriors were trying to rally for a winning score.

Huntley comeback topples Bartlett
By Jerry FitzpatrickThe wait was worth it for Huntley. One day after thunderstorms postponed the debut of Huntley’s new football stadium complex, the Red Raiders scored 2 touchdowns to overcome a fourth-quarter deficit and defeat Bartlett 23-12 on Saturday.

Tim Tebow out of a job again; he hopes to return
Associated PressThe quarterback with two big problems — throwing the ball and reading defenses — was cut by the New England Patriots less than 12 weeks after they signed him and just five days before the season. But, as Tim Tebow sees it, this long journey is not over. “I will remain in relentless pursuit of continuing my lifelong dream of being an NFL quarterback,” he tweeted.

Hackenberg, Penn State beat Syracuse 23-17
Associated Presshristian Hackenberg threw two touchdown passes in his first college game and the freshman led Penn State to 23-17 victory against Syracuse on Saturday.Hackenberg went 22 for 31 for 278 yards with two interceptions and became the second freshman to start a Penn State opener at quarterback since 1910.

No. 17 Michigan routs C Michigan 59-9 in opener
Associated PressDevin Gardner ran for two touchdowns and threw for another in the first half as No. 17 Michigan went on to beat Central Michigan 59-9 in college football. t was the highest-scoring opener for the Wolverines (1-0) since 1905, when they beat Ohio Wesleyan 65-0. They will face a tougher test against No. 14 Notre Dame next week at home in a prime-time game.

Late pick lifts Barrington over Jacobs
By Allen OshinskiThe final momentum swing went Barrington’s way. After Jacobs got a touchdown and 2-point conversion to tie the game with 7:39 left, then forced Barrington into a 3-and-out on the next series, all the momentum seemed to reside with the Golden Eagles. But an interception by JP Brooks on the next possession turned the tide a final time. The Broncos then drove 50 yards in 7 plays, with Dylan Abel scoring from 3 yards out with 1:45 left. Barrington held on for a 22-15 victory in nonconference action in Algonquin Saturday afternoon.

Dundee-Crown rolls past Elgin
By Steve NicholsDundee-Crown football coach Vito Andriola wasn’t kidding around about this year’s backfield being the best he’s ever coached. And boy did it show. A three-headed monster of T.J. Moss and brothers Cordero and Caleb Parson ran amok on a low-numbered Elgin squad, as they combined for 249 of the Chargers’ 272 yards rushing in a 52-12 thrashing of the Maroons in nonconference play at the D-C Bowl Saturday.

A first for Wheeling: Glenbrook South title
By Mike GarofolaWheeling denied defending state champion Warren the chance at winning the 28th annual Glenbrook South Titans Invite early Saturday. As a result, the Wildcats eventually got to hoist some hardware themselves. After using a 1-1 draw with the Blue Devils (2-1-0) in their final pool play match to earn a spot in the final, the Wildcats (4-0-0) used goals from Luis Herrera and Elias Cisneros and stout defending from Nathan Laude, Alfredo Rocha and Fabian Acosta to shut out Stevenson 2-0 and capture the first Glenbrook South title in the program’s history.

Scheelhaase, Illini survive SIU rally, win 42-34
Associated PressCHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Nathan Scheelhaase had waited a long time for a day like this.Career-high 416 yards through the air. Two early touchdown passes that staked an Illinois team in bad need of an early win to a comfortable lead.But the ending was closer to a hot, muggy nightmare than any fairy tale.With the temperature hitting 95 degrees and the heat index 108, Scheelhaase watched helplessly from the sideline in the final minute Saturday as Southern Illinois fell just short of the kind of upset Football Championship Subdivision teams like the Salukis dream of, with Illinois holding on 42-34.“It’s gonna be a fight every time,” the fifth-year senior quarterback said before refusing to attach much if any significance to his own big day. “Honestly, I think we’ll all put it behind us and start preparing for Cincinnati.” Illinois hosts the Bearcats next Saturday.Illinois coach Tim Beckman enters the season under pressure after a 2-10 finish his first year in Champaign. He said after the game that he’ll take the win but wasn’t happy that his Illini let the Salukis claw their way back into the game.“It’s unacceptable and these things have to get corrected,” Beckman said. “We have to make sure these get corrected.”Southern Illinois was left to think about what could have been.Illinois had the Salukis down 25-7 at halftime and 39-17 late in the third quarter before letting them come back.Down 42-43, Southern Illinois quarterback Kory Faulkner drove the Salukis down the field for a final shot. With 44 seconds to play and fourth down at the Illini 3-yard line, Faulkner threw too high for leaping wideout Adam Fuehne.“Obviously we didn’t complete it so I wish I had it back,” Faulkner said. “But we work on that play a lot in practice and Fuehne is a great target and maybe four inches to the right and a little bit lower he could have times it better.”That let Illinois, finally, run the clock out.The Illini offense was mostly Scheelhaase. He was 28 for 36 with one interception, and his second-quarter touchdown passes to Jon Davis and Josh Ferguson built that halftime lead.Ryan Lankford caught six passes for 115 yards and Ferguson had four for another 103 yards.Scheelhaase has taken his knocks since throwing for what was then a career-best 391 yards and three touchdowns in November 2011 in a storybook win over Northwestern at Wrigley Field.Since then, he’s seen head coach Ron Zook fired, played for three offensive coordinators and suffered through a season of injury trouble in 2012 as his team went winless in the Big Ten.Beckman gave him much of the credit for the win.“You don’t understand how much the quarterbacks are involved in making things right,” Beckman said. “Nathan did a great job of putting our team where the team needed to be.”Beyond Scheelhaase and the Illinois passing attack, there had to be cause for concern among the Illini.The Salukis, a six-win FCS team in 2012, struck easily against a young Illinois secondary. Faulkner was 25 for 40 for 312 yards and three touchdowns, and was never sacked or, as the hot afternoon wore on, heavily pressured.“We gave up some big plays and turned the football over,” Beckman said, referring to a fumble by backup quarterback Reilly O’Toole that set up the Salukis’ final touchdown.The Illini offensive line had a rough afternoon, too. Illinois had just 49 rushing yards on 30 carries against a small Southern Illinois defense, and the Salukis had five sacks.After falling behind 7-3 and sending a wave of anxiety through the crowd of 42,000, Scheelhaase’ first touchdown gave the Illini the lead. He tossed a short pass to Ferguson, who weaved past a Saluki defender to the right sideline for a 53-yard score and a 10-7 lead with 9:31 left in the first half.

Strong second half powers St. Viator
By Mike GarofolaJavier Romero rescued St. Viator went it appeared the Lions were destined for defeat. And some eight minutes later Zach Gyuricza struck the game-winner against Prospect in a 3-1 victory Saturday afternoon on the turf George Gattas Stadium in Mt. Prospect. A late own-goal ended the Knights’ hopes for good as host Prospect saw its early season record fall to 0-2-1.

Jacobs’ Van Vlierbergen a pain-free 2nd
By Dave HessIt was a mixed bag for Jacobs junior Lauren Van Vlierbergen at Saturday’s McHenry County Cross Country Meet held at McHenry County Township Park in Johnsburg. Van Vlierbergen was a little disappointed she finished a distant second to county champion Maura Beattie of Woodstock, but Van Vlierbergen was happy she was able to run the 3-mile course pain free. Van Vlierbergen, who was hindered by a hip injury all last season during the cross country and track seasons, placed second with a time of 18:37.9. Beattie breezed through the course in a clocking of 17:52.5 to claim the county championship.

Game video: York vs. Chicago Clark York meets Chicago Clark at noon Saturday in the season opener. Follow the action here with video from High School Cube then come back later for the relay and highlights.

Wrestling set for final pitch to IOC
Associated PressWrestling’s seven-month stay in Olympic purgatory is almost complete. The ancient sport will either emerge from its ultimate crisis stronger than ever — or be forced to adjust to the cruel reality of life outside of the Olympic program.

2001 champ Hewitt stuns del Potro at U.S. Open
Associated PressLleyton Hewitt displayed the same shots and grit that earned him a U.S. Open trophy and the No. 1 ranking a dozen years ago. Now 32, and ranked 66th, Hewitt came back to surprise 2009 champion Juan Martin del Potro 6-4, 5-7, 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-1 Friday night in the second round at Flushing Meadows.

Hingis goes 0-2 in return to Grand Slam tennis
Associated PressAt times, Martina Hingis looked like the champion of old — such as when she was pounding forehands or placing crisp volleys right where she wanted them. At times, Hingis looked like an old champion — most notably, when she double-faulted twice to close out her loss in women’s doubles at the U.S. Open on Friday.

Michigan State beats Western Michigan 26-13
Associated PressJeremy Langford’s 2-yard touchdown run late in the first half broke a tie and he finished with a career-high 94 yards rushing, helping Michigan State beat Western Michigan 26-13 Friday night. The Spartans (1-0) struggled on offense, rotating ineffective quarterback Andrew Maxwell and Connor Cook, and scored two touchdowns on defense.

QBs unknown, Penn St.-Syracuse open in NFL stadium
Associated PressThe much-anticipated unveilings should be done by the end of the first quarter between Penn State and Syracuse. The Nittany Lions and Orange will finally reveal their starting quarterbacks Saturday at MetLife Stadium.

No. 18 Nebraska’s defense to face Wyoming spread
Associated PressNebraska coach Bo Pelini isn’t looking for perfection in the opener against Wyoming. A win will do just fine. The No. 18 Cornhuskers are replacing six of seven starters on the defensive line and at linebacker, and Pelini plans to shuffle a lot of young players in and out on what will be a steamy Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

Business

Hearing set for plan to close forest near Lake Superior
Associated PressA bill that would close up to 4,000 acres of forest around a proposed mine site just south of Lake Superior is already stirring debate among lawmakers and the public, days before it is scheduled for a hearing before the Senate mining committee.

Who should run Microsoft next?By Farhad ManjooThere’s only one guy in the world who should be running Microsoft right now. Everyone knows his name (rhymes with Gill Bates), and everyone knows why he’d be perfect. Microsoft’s problem isn’t that it doesn’t make money — it does, gobs of it, every quarter, like clockwork. Microsoft’s problem is not that it doesn’t make products that the world isn’t using widely.

Startups gain appeal as some Japan company names fade
Associated PressDespite having some of the developed world’s least hospitable conditions for starting a new business, Japan’s “salaryman” culture of guaranteed lifetime employment at a household-name corporation is no longer the unquestioned ideal. Ventures are sprouting again after a decade marred by some high-profile failures and a striking aspect is their focus on manufacturing. Facebook and Google they are not. They are Sony and Toyota, all over again — but with young fresh faces.

You need Songza in your life
By Aisha Harris, SlateSongza is free of those automated playlists that pick and choose at random songs that may “sound like” an artist or song, but often don’t. There are no audible commercial interruptions — ever. (There are ads displayed on the site, but these are easy to ignore, especially since the service is free.) What you’ll get when you arrive at Songza’s website is a “music concierge” tailored to suit your life at any given moment. If it’s Wednesday afternoon, for example, you may get a sampling of occasions.

App reviews: Disconnect Kids, Studious
An anti-tracking startup called Disconnect has released a kid-focused app that will block tracking from advertisers on the Web and on phone apps, with the promise that information on any device the app is installed on will stay there. Studious is a strong candidate to keep your academic life flowing smoothly. The app not only makes it easy to add appointments, but users can also add homework assignments, test schedules and notes to each appointment.

Sony’s newest hit found inside Apple, Samsung Smartphones
Bloomberg NewsSony’s latest star performer isn’t a gadget like the Walkman or PlayStation. Instead, it’s a chip found in almost every high-end camera and smartphone. Apple’s iPhones 5 and 4S use it and so do Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S4 and LG’s G2, researchers say. “Sony is making a clean sweep of rising demand,” said Yasuo Nakane, an analyst with Deutsche Bank AG in Tokyo.

iPhone camera attachments can enhance your photo skills
By Anne Farrar and Nathaniel Grann, The Washington PostLove your iPhone camera but wish it had a few more bells and whistles? Well, now it can, thanks to an array of new attachments that do everything from letting you shoot underwater to adding quirky effects to your photos. We tested a few and offer our reports below.

Polaroid Fotobar liberates photos from your phone
By Andrea Sachs, The Washington PostThe Polariod Fotobar allows photographers to print out images held captive in such e-storage cells as mobile devices, social networks and sharing sites, including Facebook and Instagram. With a few simple taps on the computer keys, Fotobar burped out my photos. The photo processing center, which opened last month in Washington’s Union Station, is the second in the country; the first one appeared in March in Delray Beach, Fla.

Review: Google, Apple decent contenders to Office
By Anick Jesdanun AP Technology WriterBecause my devices are all connected to the Internet in one way or another, I’m able to take advantage of syncing features that come with the leading word processing and spreadsheet packages. Microsoft’s Office is the industry leader and a good option when you’re working with others. The main drawback is the price — $100 a year for up to five computers and five phones. Google and Apple have free or cheaper alternatives that may fit your needs better, but both have limitations.

The Internet’s love affair with introverts By Katy Waldman, SlateIntroverts, rejoice! The Internet thinks your glorious idiosyncrasies and private vexations are adorable and that you are worthy of complex care and feeding. Yes, it’s great to be an introvert in 2013! So how do you know if you are one?

How to delete unwanted website accounts By Will Oremus, SlateAfter marveling at some fed-up users’ tweets about how incredibly difficult it is to delete a Skype account, a British developer named Robb Lewis decided to lend a hand. So he built a website that takes the adventure out of account-deletion. It’s called “Just Delete Me,” and it’s as simple as Skype’s account-deletion procedure is convoluted.

Life & Entertainment

Japanese film highlights film industry absurdity
Associated PressJapanese director Sion Sono wants to set the records straight: It was Bruce Lee and not Quentin Tarantino who transformed the yellow jumpsuit into a piece of film iconography. Sono has been fielding questions all day about Tarantino’s influence on his film “Why Don’t You Play in Hell?” which premiered to an enthusiastic reception out of the main competition at the Venice Film Festival.

Bell of Oaxaca½ lime1 large red bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped½ large red or gold tomato, seeded and coarsely chopped¼ ounce simple syrup (see NOTE)1/8 teaspoon kosher salt2 thin crosswise slices jalapeno pepper (optional)1 tablespoon smoked salt or chili-lime salt, for garnish (see headnote)IceSeveral thin slices unpeeled cucumber, for garnish3 ounces mescal, such as Del Maguey’s VidaFresh basil leaves, preferably purple basil, for garnishSqueeze the lime half to yield ½ ounce of juice; reserve the spent lime half.Combine the bell pepper, tomato, lime juice, simple syrup, salt and jalapeno, if using, in a blender. Puree at high speed, then strain through a fine-mesh strainer, cheesecloth or jelly bag, reserving the juice and discarding the solids. You should get 6 to 8 ounces.Make a small heap of smoked salt or chili-lime salt on a plate. Rub the spent lime half around the rims of two chilled highball glasses, then roll the rims gently across the plated salt (you don’t have to go all the way around, and it doesn’t have to be neat). Fill the glasses two-thirds full with ice. Slip several slices of cucumber into each glass.Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice, then add the strained juice and the mezcal. Shake briefly to chill, then divide between the glasses and garnish with basil.Serves two.Cook’s notes: While a reposado tequila will do here, a good mezcal takes the flavor to a smokier level and works well with the veggie-centric nature of this savory drink. Using red bell pepper and tomato for a backbone and straining out the solids preserves the vibrant flavor and color of summer produce but eliminates the gloppy texture of some bloody marys.Smoked salt is available at Whole Foods, Sur la Table and other stores. Chili-lime salt is available at Sur la Table, many Hispanic markets and some grocery stores.M. Carrie Allan

Kevin Spacey says TV must adapt to viewer demand
Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey says television has overtaken cinema as the home of quality character-driven drama, but the industry risks failure if it doesn’t recognize that viewers want control over what they watch, and when. Spacey told the Edinburgh International Television Festival that the success of his political thriller “House of Cards” — released in a single burst of 13 episodes on video streaming service Netflix earlier this year — showed that viewers “want freedom.”

No roughing it: Glamping on Idaho’s Salmon River
By William KronholmStuffed morel mushrooms and braised free-range chicken with fennel puree and blackberry compote. Served on linen tablecloths with a carefully matched wine. Pineapple upside-down cake for dessert. This is wilderness camping? It was a delightful shock for my wife and me as we took our seats at the table streamside on the Middle Fork of Idaho’s Salmon River, known in folklore as the River of No Return. Both of us are experienced wilderness campers, but we’ve sometimes defined camp luxury as dry socks. Not on this trip.

Weekend picks: Hear Haley at BG DaysBy Scott Morgan and Laura StewartHaley Reinhart headlines at 9 p.m. Saturday concert at the annual Buffalo Grove Days festival. It's free, too. The celebrated rockers of Cheap Trick trace their roots back to Rockford. So give them a home-state welcome at Ravinia Saturday. Enjoy the unbeatable combo of pop culture and America's pastime Saturday at Star Wars night at the Kane County Cougars game at Fifth Third Ballpark in Geneva.

A trip to the garden can be intoxicating By M. Carrie Allan
Some people garden to fill their plates, others to fill their glasses. Amy Steward, author of "The Drunken Botanist," has recommendations for mixologists aspiring to sprout green thumbs.

‘Night Film’ is a gothic thriller Associated PressWhen reclusive director Stanislas Cordova’s beautiful 24-year-old daughter Ashley is found dead under mysterious circumstances, grizzled investigative journalist Scott McGrath takes up the case in Marisha Pessl’s gothic thriller “Night Film.” As McGrath and two 20-something partners delve deeper into Ashley’s death, they all get sucked into the sinister world of Cordova, which includes a psychiatric ward, black magic and a deserted compound known as The Peak.

Book notes: Meet Pulitzer Prize winner Julia Keller
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist turned mystery author Julia Keller discusses and signs copies of her newest title, "Bitter River," at noon Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the Aspen Drive Library in Vernon Hills. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Exploring sights and sounds of Paris’ Chinatown
By Elisa MalaAsk a Parisian about the city’s Chinatown and you’re likely to get an answer that’s uncharacteristically reticent. “It’s not exactly where I’d bring someone,” natives will demur politely. It’s the rare person who will say what most locals feel: “There’s nothing to see there.” It’s true that the high-rise buildings of the Quartier Chinois (Chinese Quarter), as it’s formally known, seem somewhat soulless, especially compared to nearby monuments like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. The Quartier Chinois also feels quieter and less crowded than Chinatowns in places like New York and San Francisco — though here, as in those cities, it’s not unusual to see people practicing tai chi outdoors.

Soap-dispenser options for a bathroom
By Ed Del GrandeQ. I’m removing my old bathroom vanity, countertop and sink to gain a little space. Then I plan on installing a new wall-hung sink. My problem is that we use soap-dispenser bottles, and without a countertop I’m afraid the soap bottle will keep falling off the new wall-hung sink. What are my options to solve this dilemma?

DuPage’s interesting take on ethics
A Glen Ellyn letter to the editor: Thank goodness DuPage residents have diligent public interest watchdogs like DuPage County Board member John Curran, chairman of the ethics ordinance subcommittee. He discovered that the board’s ethics policy on campaign contributions is too good.

Role of ALEC soft-pedaled in editorial
A Pingree Grove letter to the editor: Your Aug. 25 editorial objects to Senator Durbin’s attempt to clarify and publicize the American Legislative Exchange Council’s role and position on the stand-your-ground laws. While I agree it is not important what percentage of ALEC supporters endorse this law, I could not disagree with you more on the rest of the article. By soft peddling what ALEC does, I question your judgment as much as you question Sen. Durbin’s.